🐾 Quick answer: Dog ear infections cause head shaking, scratching, dark discharge, and a bad smell. Most are caused by yeast or bacteria and are very treatable with the right ear drops. Learn the signs, causes, and how to prevent recurrence.
Ear infections are one of the most common reasons dogs visit the vet. If your dog is shaking their head, scratching their ears, or you notice a strange smell, an ear infection could well be the culprit. The good news is that most ear infections are very treatable — especially when caught early.
Signs Your Dog Has an Ear Infection
The most obvious signs are head shaking and scratching at one or both ears. Look inside the ear flap — healthy ears are pale pink with minimal wax. Signs of infection include:
- Dark brown or black discharge
- Yellow or green discharge (bacterial)
- Strong, yeasty, or foul smell
- Redness or swelling inside the ear canal
- Crusting or scabbing on the ear flap
- Tilting the head to one side
- Whimpering or pulling away when the ear is touched
Types of Dog Ear Infections
There are three types depending on which part of the ear is affected. Otitis externa — the outer ear canal — is by far the most common and the easiest to treat. Otitis media (middle ear) and otitis interna (inner ear) are more serious and can cause balance problems, hearing loss, and facial nerve issues.
What Causes Ear Infections?
The most common culprits are yeast (Malassezia) and bacteria, often occurring together. What sets them off varies — moisture trapped in the ear after swimming or bathing, allergies (the most common underlying cause of recurrent ear infections), ear mites (especially in puppies), foreign bodies like grass seeds, hormonal disorders, or simply the anatomy of the dog’s ear.
Dogs with floppy ears — Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, Labradors — are significantly more prone because air doesn’t circulate as well inside the ear canal. Dogs who swim frequently are also at higher risk.
How Are Ear Infections Treated?
Treatment depends on the cause and severity. Your vet will examine the ear canal with an otoscope and often take a swab to identify whether the infection is yeast, bacterial, or both. Treatment typically involves:
- Ear cleaning — your vet will clean the ear thoroughly and show you how to continue at home
- Topical ear drops — antifungal for yeast, antibiotic for bacterial, or combination drops for both
- Oral medication — for severe or deep infections
- Treating the underlying cause — especially important if allergies are suspected
Never put anything in your dog’s ear without veterinary guidance. Cotton buds push debris further in and can damage the eardrum.
Preventing Ear Infections
After swimming or bathing, dry your dog’s ears thoroughly with a soft cloth. Use a vet-recommended ear cleaner once a month for dogs prone to infections — never use water, hydrogen peroxide, or alcohol. Keep the hair around the ear entrance trimmed. If your dog has recurrent infections, work with your vet to identify and address the underlying allergy.
- Any signs of ear infection — don’t try to treat without a diagnosis
- Symptoms not improving after 48 hours of treatment
- Head tilting, loss of balance, or walking in circles
- Very painful or swollen ear
- Recurrent infections — the underlying cause needs to be found
Ear infections are uncomfortable for your dog but very manageable with proper treatment. Caught early and treated correctly, most resolve completely within a few weeks.
The PawPulse Team
Researched using current veterinary guidelines. Always consult your vet for medical advice about your pet.